Detailed explanation of Inconel 600 and 690 nickel alloy plates
Detailed explanation of Inconel 600 and 690 nickel alloy plates
Both Inconel 600 and Inconel 690 are nickel-chromium alloy plates, but Inconel 690 thick plates offer superior corrosion resistance due to their higher chromium content (approximately 27-31%), compared to Inconel 600 thin plates which contain approximately 14-17% chromium. This makes Inconel 690 plates more suitable for corrosive oxidizing environments, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and nuclear applications, while Inconel 600 alloy plates are a general-purpose high-temperature alloy. In demanding conditions such as steam generators and chemical processing, Inconel 690 plates often replace Alloy 600 plates. Both alloys exhibit excellent high-temperature strength, but the increased chromium content in Inconel 690 plates enhances its corrosion resistance to acids (such as nitric/hydrofluoric acid mixtures) and high-temperature water, making it the preferred material for nuclear steam generators and petrochemical heaters.
What is Inconel 600 material?
Inconel 600 is a nickel-chromium alloy that exhibits good oxidation resistance at high temperatures and also possesses good corrosion resistance in carburizing and chlorine-containing environments. Inconel 600 is a nickel-chromium alloy designed for use across a wide range of temperatures, from cryogenic temperatures to high temperatures (up to 2000°F/1093°C).
Inconel 600 sheet is a plate material rolled from a high-performance nickel-chromium-iron alloy (Inconel 600), renowned for its excellent strength retention at temperatures up to approximately 1150°C, and superior resistance to oxidation and chloride ion stress corrosion cracking. It is specifically used in the manufacture of equipment linings, heat exchanger components, furnace structures, and reaction vessels that require resistance to extreme high temperatures and corrosive environments. It is a critical basic material for demanding applications in chemical, nuclear power, heat treatment, and aerospace industries, offering performance far superior to ordinary stainless steel, but at a correspondingly higher cost and with greater processing difficulty.
Inconel 690 sheet is a nickel-based alloy sheet with a high chromium content (approximately 29%). Its core advantage lies in its unparalleled resistance to stress corrosion cracking in high-temperature, high-pressure water media, particularly in environments containing chloride ions and caustic alkalis, while also possessing excellent oxidation and carburization resistance. It is primarily used in critical areas requiring extremely high corrosion resistance and long-term stability, such as steam generator partitions and linings in nuclear power plants, spent fuel reprocessing equipment, high-temperature chemical vessels, and high-strength alkaline environments. It is a top-tier sheet material solution for ensuring nuclear energy safety and the reliability of demanding industrial processes.
Chemical composition of Inconel 600 and Inconel 690 alloy plates
| Element | Inconel 600 Plate (UNS N06600) | Inconel 690 Plate (UNS N06690) |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | ≥ 72.0 % | ≥ 58.0 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14.0 – 17.0 % | 27.0 – 31.0 % |
| Iron (Fe) | 6.0 – 10.0 % | 7.0 – 11.0 % |
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.15 % | ≤ 0.05 % |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.0 % | ≤ 0.50 % |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.5 % | ≤ 0.50 % |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.5 % | ≤ 0.50 % |
| Aluminum (Al) | – | ≤ 0.50 % |
| Titanium (Ti) | – | ≤ 0.50 % |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.015 % | ≤ 0.015 % |
| Phosphorus (P) | – | ≤ 0.025 % |
| Cobalt (Co) | – | ≤ 0.10 % |
| Nitrogen (N) | – | ≤ 0.10 % |
Physical properties of Inconel 600 and Inconel 690 alloy plates
| Physical Property | Inconel 600 Plate | Inconel 690 Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 8.47 | 8.19 |
| Melting Range (°C) | 1370 – 1425 | 1343 – 1377 |
| Modulus of Elasticity (GPa) | 214 | 211 |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) | 14.8 (at 20°C) | 13.0 (at 20°C) |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (×10⁻⁶/K) | 13.3 (20–100°C) | 13.1 (20–100°C) |
| Electrical Resistivity (μΩ·m) | 1.02 (at 20°C) | 1.18 (at 20°C) |
| Specific Heat (J/kg·K) | 444 (at 20°C) | 450 (at 20°C) |
| Magnetic Permeability | Typically non-magnetic | Typically non-magnetic |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.29 | 0.29 |
Reasons why 690 alloy plates are superior to Inconel 600 alloy plates:
Corrosion resistance: The high chromium content of 690 alloy plates gives them significantly superior corrosion resistance to corrosive media, especially strong oxidizing acids and high-temperature water.
Stress corrosion cracking: The excellent resistance of 690 alloy plates to stress corrosion cracking makes them an ideal material for nuclear steam generators, whereas 600 alloy frequently fails in this respect.
Application shift: Inconel 690 alloy plates have effectively replaced Inconel 600 and 601 alloy plates in critical harsh environments, becoming the standard material for demanding applications in the nuclear and chemical industries.
Why Choose Gnee as Your Nickel-Based Alloy Supplier
✅ Over 18 years of export experience, products sold to more than 80 countries
✅ Certified by ISO, SGS, and BV
✅ Global inventory of Inconel, Hastelloy, Incoloy, and Monel alloy tubing, plates, and bars
✅ Custom processing services available – including cutting, polishing, CNC machining, and packaging
✅ Fast delivery within 7-15 days, supported by global logistics partners
📦 Packaging and Shipping
All stainless steel products are packaged using the following methods:
Wooden pallets or crates
Moisture-proof packaging
Labels with furnace number, standard, and size labels
Shipped worldwide by sea, air, or express
Gnee Steel is a supplier of inconel 600 alloy, offering a wide range of products including: seamless pipe (sizes: 4-219 mm; thickness: 0.5-20 mm); welded pipe (sizes: 5.0-1219.2 mm; thickness: 0.5-20 mm); plates (thickness: 0.1 to 100 mm; width: 10-2500 mm); strips; alloy round bars (diameter: 3-800 mm); flat bars (thickness: 2-100 mm; width: 10-500 mm); hexagonal bars (size: 2-100 mm); wire rods; and extruded profiles. We collaborate with steel mills to provide our customers with inconel 600 alloy products that meet or exceed numerous leading industry standards, including ASTM, ASME, SAE, AMS, ISO, DIN, EN, and BS standards.
Gnee Steel stocks and sells inconel 600, pipes, plates, strips, round bars, flat bars, forged billets, hexagonal steel, wire rods, and extruded profiles. Please feel free to contact us at ss@gneesteel.com for a quote.
